With obesity rates climbing annually, everyone is encouraged to become more physically active. Many activities and sports may pose a risk to the dentition. Proper protective gear is important. For those playing contact sports, such as football, hockey and various kinds of self-defense activities, a custom-fitted mouth guard should be worn when participating. However, even when a protective gear is used some dental emergencies do happen.
Listed here are some of the best ways that will help you in coping with dental emergencies:
Lost or Broken Orthodontic Appliances
If you lose or break any part of your orthodontic appliance more than a couple of days before your regular appointment, call the office for an extra visit. If you can remove the offending bits or cover the sharp edges with wax you can probably hold out for a day or two. It is wise to advise the office in advance that you are coming in with appliances needing repair. Then the staff knows your appointment will need to be a little longer.
Broken arch wires, a head gear which doesn’t fit, lost elastics which tie the arch wire to the brackets, loose bands, or brackets that have come off mean the appliance is not functioning properly and should be repaired. At least, the teeth affected by the broken segment of the appliance will not be moving; at most, the broken elements of the system could cause discomfort and damage to teeth or soft tissue.
Lost Restorations
With wear and tear, all dental restorations lose integrity at their margins with the tooth tissue. In other words, the filling does not contact the tooth completely. Some restorative materials are more susceptible to this damage than others. When marginal integrity is lost, bacterial plaque is more likely to form in the crevice created.
If you happen to be far from home for a few more weeks, when you find a dentist willing to see you, you are probably safe in requesting placement of a temporary restoration. These filling materials, known as dental cements, will keep out food debris and bacteria and provide a reasonably hearty filling for periods of up to several weeks. You can have the permanent restoration placed by your own dentist when you get home. If, during the interval, the tooth becomes sensitive, especially to heat, it should be examined again as immediate attention may be required.
Tooth Fractures
If the fracture involves only a small chip with a rough edge, the solution is a quick trip to the dentist and a little grinding of the enamel to smooth the edge. Fractures that expose dentin tissue leave the tooth sensitive and should be investigated quickly. If the fracture exposes the pulp, this is an emergency requiring dental care as soon as possible.
Traumatic Injuries – Tooth Intrusion or Evulsion
Accidents resulting in tooth loss and soft tissue damage to the face are also true dental emergencies. All tend to be frightening to the person sustaining them, and to those watching, due to immediate flow of blood. Tissues of the mouth and face are highly vascular and can bleed profusely with little apparent damage.
Any dental clinic that knows you are on the way with this problem will give you top priority on arrival. If the tooth is in good shape, the dentist will put it back into its socket and wire it to adjacent teeth for stability. A short course of antibiotics may be prescribed to ward off infection. Now the waiting game begins. If the tooth is going to be rejected, it will be obvious within a few days. If the surrounding tissue begins to heal, chances are good reattachment is taking place. When the periodontal tissue is healthy, the tooth will require root canal treatment. With prompt action and a bit of luck, some implanted teeth function normally for years.
If implantation is not a preferred action, there are other dental care options with reliable and excellent outcomes.
Toothaches
Most serious toothaches occur when tooth decay has progressed to the point of exposing the inner pulp tissue to exterior stimulation such as heat, cold, air, pressure, etc.
Usually you are better off not self-medicating to try to relieve the pain. Depending on the remedy you have chosen, the dentist may be hampered in beginning appropriate treatment until the drugs you have chosen clear your system.
On completion of assessment of your general and oral health, you will be offered treatment options to relieve the problem.
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John Smith is a writer currently located in Bangkok, Thailand. He likes writing about traveling, health and yoga.